American basketball player and all-around sports legend Bill Walton passed away at the age of 71 on May 27 after a prolonged fight with cancer.
Bill was born in La Mesa, California, in 1952 to Gloria Ann, who worked as a librarian, and William Walton, a music teacher and social worker. During his senior year of high school, Bill averaged 29 points and 25 rebounds per game.
Bill Walton had four sons while in his first marriage, and they all have grown to know and love the game of basketball like their father.
Walton’s passing was announced by both the NBA and his family, who are still mourning. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recited many of Walton’s feats along with a heartfelt message upon the news being released.
“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” Silver said.
Returning to his career before the NBA, one will discover his accomplishments as a UCLA Bruin.
Walton is among the most decorated college basketball players of all time, as he led the Bruins to back-to-back NCAA titles as only a sophomore and junior. He became a three-time national player of the year under coach John Wooden. The championship wins added to the seven consecutive wins by UCLA from 1967 through 1973. After deciding to enter the NBA draft, he was selected as the first overall pick in 1974.
Walton was the NBA’s MVP in the 1977-1978 season and the league’s sixth man of the year in the 1985-1986 season. He was also involved in the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams.
His NBA career was interrupted by chronic foot injuries, and he was only able to compete in 468 games with the Portland Trailblazers, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Boston Celtics.
Walton is said to be one of the most consequential players of his era. He possessed great timing, perfect vision of the floor, outstanding fundamentals, and was one of the best passing big men in the history of the NBA. Unsurprisingly, Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Upon retiring from the league, Walton became a basketball commentating legend and had various noteworthy moments. His descriptions and storytelling had unique aspects that set him apart from other broadcasters.
Walton has been the color commentator for various NBA Finals matchups earlier in his career, and he was also experienced in calling college basketball games. He had been partnered with NBC, ABC, and ESPN throughout his time courtside.
Walton also continued to rack up commentary awards, winning “Best Television Analyst/Commentator” seven times and an Emmy Award in 2001 for “Best Live Sports Television Broadcast.”
Walton was passionate about the PAC-12 and was an advocate for keeping the “Conference of Champions” alive despite its recent fears of ceasing to exist due to decreased revenue. Unfortunately, the conference did begin to fade away, and the final game Walton called turned out to be an intense PAC-12 game between Washington State and Oregon on February 10, 2024.
